China is expanding its international air services to accommodate rising demand for cross-border travel and tourism, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The new aviation schedule, effective from October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027, includes an increase in flight frequencies and the introduction of new routes. This expansion will result in 16,654 international passenger flights per week connecting China with 84 countries.
Several regions, including Central Asia, South Asia, North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, will see an increase in flight frequencies. Notably, services between China and 17 countries, such as India, Kazakhstan, Canada, and Belgium, have increased by over 40% compared to the previous year. Additionally, airlines are introducing scheduled passenger services to eight new destinations, including Iceland, Madagascar, and Jordan.
This move reflects a growing demand for travel to and from China, with a 14.4% year-on-year increase in flight services connecting China with major inbound tourism markets like Singapore and Malaysia. Major Chinese airlines are also expanding their international connections. Air China is launching services connecting Beijing with Reykjavik via Copenhagen and routes to Bali and Hanoi. Similarly, China Southern Airlines is increasing flights to Australia and New Zealand and expanding services to destinations such as Jeju Island and Langkawi.
Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport are also ramping up their international and regional operations. The former plans to schedule an average of 252 passenger flights daily, while the latter will serve 44 international and regional destinations during the new season.
On the domestic front, airlines are introducing 288 new routes connecting smaller cities and regional destinations with major economic centers. Winter tourism destinations like Yanji in Jilin province and Altay in Xinjiang have noted an increase in flight bookings.
Overall, 216 Chinese and international airlines plan to operate around 116,000 passenger and cargo flights weekly during the winter-spring season. This bi-annual revision of airline schedules aims to optimize flight operations and strengthen both domestic and international connectivity, ultimately supporting tourism, business travel, and broader international exchanges.